7 Common Myths About Foot Problems

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It’s important to take good care of your feet in order to prevent serious foot problems. But, unfortunately, foot care myths abound – leaving us to wonder what really works and what doesn’t. For the treatment of ingrown nails to heel spurs, here are some foot care facts to help you take better care of your feet.

Myth #1 – When you have an ingrown toenail, cutting a V-shaped notch in the center of the end of the nail will relieve the pain.

Fact – When a toenail is ingrown; the sides of the nail incurvate (curve downward and grow into the skin). Cutting a V in the toenail does not prevent this growth. In fact, the nail will continue to grow downward into the flesh creating more and more pain, and may even result in an infection in the tissue.

The only way to eliminate an ingrown nail is by removing that portion of the nail that is growing into the flesh. This can easily be done in the doctor’s office with the use of a local anesthetic.

Myth #2 – Fungal toenails are contagious.

Fact – Unlike the common cold or flu, fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) aren’t contagious. But because the infected nail becomes whiter, thicker and more brittle, it can be pretty ugly.

Because fungal toenail infections take years to develop and are usually not painful, they are often ignored by both the afflicted person and their physician. But it’s wiser to treat them aggressively through medication and/or removing the nail and treating the underlying infected nail bed. If this is not done, the infection can continue to spread and if it enters into the nail growth center (nail matrix), it may be necessary to surgically remove the nail and its growth center, to prevent the infection from spreading to your other toe nails.

Myth #3 – Diabetic foot ulcers don’t hurt so why treat them?

Fact – Diabetics can have nerve damage and poor blood flow to their feet, which leads to an inability to feel pain in their feet and a higher risk for developing foot ulcers and infections; so they must not be ignored, whether they hurt or not.

It’s important that diabetics use good foot hygiene. If you start to develop an ulcer or any type of lesion on your feet, immediately see your healthcare provider, as ignoring diabetic ulcers can lead to the necessity of amputating the foot and possibly the entire leg.

Fact – Plantar warts (plantar verrucae) usually appear on the boot of the feet. While it’s true that they’re living viruses, plantar warts cannot be suffocated.

Frequently plantar warts are exacerbated when you’re under heavy stress, when your feet twist excessively, when they sweat excessively, if you’re overweight and/or wear shoes that are made of synthetic materials (i.e. plastic or canvas). People with diabetes, circulatory or neurological problems tend to be more prone to developing plantar warts than people without these conditions.

Plantar warts should not be ignored as they have a tendency to spread and become very painful. This is why it’s important to see your doctor if you suspect you have a plantar wart(s).

Myth #5 – My toe can’t be broken if I can still walk on it.

Fact – It is very possible to walk on a foot that has a broken bone; it depends on the severity and location of the fracture, as well as your pain threshold.

However, depending on the type, location and severity of the fracture, walking on a foot with a broken bone can lead to further injury. In general, fractures involving the big toe almost always require medical attention, whereas fractures in the little toe do not, as it frequently heals on its own without problems.

If you suspect that you have broken a bone in your foot, it’s a good idea to see your doctor for their recommendation.

Myth #6 – Shoes are the principle reason for the development of bunions.

Fact – While it’s true that excessively pointed-toe shoes can lead to the formation of a bunion (bump on the inside of the big toe bone), most bunions are the result of excessive foot twist (also referred to as hyperpronation, overpronation or abnormal pronation). Foot twist is produced by an inherited, abnormal foot structure (e.g. Rothbarts Foot or the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity.

If you were born with one of these foot structures, you’re at a much higher risk for developing a bunion (compared to someone who was not born with one of these foot structures), regardless of the type of shoes you wear.

However, if you were born with a Rothbarts Foot or a PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity and you also wear pointed-toe shoes, your chances of developing a bunion are much greater than if you wear box toe shoes.

Myth #7 – Pain in the heel is most often due to a heel spur.

Fact – While it’s true that a heel spur (a calcium deposit projecting from the bottom of the heel bone) can create pain in the heel; the most common cause of heel pain is not a heel spur, but inflammation of the long plantar ligament (that inserts into the heel bone) resulting from abnormal foot twist.

Treat your feet with the respect they deserve. Being well informed about foot problems as they arise and using the right treatment to handle the problem will reduce the likelihood of it becoming worse or future problems developing.

As you learn more about my innovative therapy, you may find that addressing and effectively treating your foot structure may be the missing link to ending your long time battle with unrelenting muscle and joint pain.

If you would like to make an appointment with me to see if I can help you to permanently eliminate your lower back pain, go to: Schedule a Consultation

For some simple things you can do to relieve your foot pain, go to: Can Home Remedies Give You Foot Pain Relief?

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